Collapsible card display device



Dec. 16, 1969 H. A. MURRAY 3,483,742

COLLAPSIBLE CARD DISPLAY DEVICE Filed Jan. 2, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet llNVENTO/Q HUGH A. MURRAY H/S ATTORNE Y5 Dec. 16, 1969 H. A. MURRAYCOLLAPSIBLE CARD DISPLAY DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 2, 1968 /NVEN TOR HUGH A. MUR RAY H/S ATTORNEYS ILS. ill-124.4 13 Claims ABSTRACTOF TIE DISCLOSURE A greeting card tree display device having parts to beassembled is constructed from a suitable material such as cardboard. Theparts are stored and shipped in a fiat disassembled relation within aprotective envelope or box; they are constructed for quick and easyassembly by the purchaser to provide an upright coniferous type of treewhich has a main body or upright display part provided with peripherallyalternative valley and ridge angular fold joints extending verticallyfrom adjacent its base to its top or apex to, for example, provide anupwardly-converging hexagonal shape. The ridge folds are provided withvertically spaced slot tabs along their lengths that are especiallyconstructed to receive cards, such as greeting cards, therein in asecurely held or clamped, downwardly-projecting relation to, in effect,provide flaps for the tree. The tree is also shown as having aninterlatching disc-like base part which supports the vertical main bodypart in an expanded relation, and which utilizes downwardly-extendingfold legs to support the tree in its upright position. A third piece orpart in the shape of a fiat segment or sector of a circle, when folded,provides a top cone or cap to fit over the apex of the main body part ofthe display device.

This invention relates to an upright display device forremovably-receiving and securely holding cards and the like andparticularly, to a greeting card tree that may be used during theholiday season for displaying cards in a downward-projecting andsecurely-supported relation.

There has been a need for a pleasing type of appropriate simulated treeassemblage which may serve as a holiday decoration, but will also servethe practical purpose of storing and displaying greeting cards. Thetreelike device should be capable of being packaged in a collapsed,relatively flat relation and, at the same time, be capable of assemblyinto a sturdy, balanced and nontipping construction. Aside from apractical method of supporting and holding the tree body in a stableupright position, a problem was encountered in providing slot tabs inthe body which would securely retain the cards in a displayedrelationship and, at the same time, permit them to be easily manuallyinserted and removed.

It has thus been an object of my invention to devise a new and improveddisplay device or construction, such as an artificial Xmas or coniferoustree, that will meet the various factors involved and solve problemsheretofore encountered.

Another object of my invention has been to devise a card holding slottab in an outwardly projecting or ridge fold joint of an upright displaydevice which will permit easy manual insertion and removal of a card ora group of cards and which will, at the same time, in absence of suchmanual operation, securely retain cards in position along edge portionsthereof and prevent their falling out.

A further object of the invention has been to provide a packagedartificial coniferous tree construction which may be easily assembledand disassembled and which, in an assembled relation, will be stable andcapable of sup- States Patent ice porting a large number of greetingcards in an appropriate and pleasingly displayed relation thereon.

These and other objects of the invention will appear to those skilled inthe art from the illustrated embodiment and the claims.

In the drawings, FIG. 1 is an isometric top view showing a displaydevice constructed in accordance with the invention in a flat, packagedrelation.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view on the scale of FIG. 1 and partially insection, illustrating a step in removing or-inserting a group of partsof the display device in a fiattened relation and with respect to theirshipping or storing box or container.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view illustrating a bottom or base, disc-likepart of the assembly.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view on the scale of FIG. 3 show ing a main bodypart of the assembly in an expanded and mounted relation with respect tothe bottom or base part of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a vertical view in elevation on the scale of FIGS. 3 and 4showing a third or cone-shaped cap or upper end part of the displayconstruction or device as formed by interlatching adjacent verticaledges of the fiat segment shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a side view in elevation on the scale of FIGS. 3 to 5,inclusive, showing the construction as fully assembled and having one ofits slot tabs supporting a pair of cards therein.

FIG. 6A is an enlarged fragmental view along the line 6A6A of FIG. 6showing details of the construction of the slot tabs.

FIG. 7 is a fragmental bottom plan view on the scale of FIGS. 3 to 6,showing how the body part is inserted and latched with respect to thebase or bottom part.

And, FIG. 8 is a reduced view in vertical elevation showing a completetree-like display device as assembled and used to carry or support alarge number of greeting cards.

Referring to FIGURES 1 and 2 of the drawings, 10 is atn'angularly-shaped packing, storage and shipping container or box forthe parts of the display device. For introducing and removing the partswhen they are in a collapsed or flattened shape, an open base end of thecontainer 10 is provided with an end flap 11 that is adapted to befolded therein to close it off. The container or box 10, as shown inFIGURE 2, defines a hollow chamber or compartment 10a within which fiatbase or bottom part 15 of disc-like shape, body part 17 and cap or upperend part 20 are adapted to be slid in and out in a flat relationship.When the parts are to be assembled, they are withdrawn, as shown in FIG-URE 2, from the end of the container 10 after its flap 11 has beenpulled outwardly.

The body part 17 that, in its flattened condition is of atriangular-like shape with three flat layers or plys (when provided, asshown with six ridge and six valley folds), may then be expandedoutwardly into the general conelike hollow shape shown in FIGURE 4 andheld in an upside-down relation. At this time, the base part 15 may bemounted in position, as shown particularly in FIG- URES 4, 6 and 7. Thisis done by first inserting support legs 19 within an associated latchingslot portion 16 of the base part 15. Each leg 19 has a pair of side orflap portions and extends downwardly from an associated inner, root orvalley fold 17a of the main body part 17.

As shown particularly in FIGURE 3, the base part 15 has a group ofperipherally-open and spaced-apart latching slot portions 16 whichcorrespond in number to the number of inner, root or valley folds 17a ofthe body 17. Each latching slot portion 16 has a pair of spacedapartslightly inwardly-converging and outwardly-open opposed entry edges 16a,and opposed, inner, angularshaped edges 16b and 16c which form an innertriangular shape having a connecting apex 16d. Since each leg or foot 19is an extension of a valley fold 17a of the body part 17, it is ofangular shape when expanded and may be inserted, as at position A ofFIGURE 7, within a corresponding slot portion 16 while in a foldedrelation. As indicated at B of the same figure, each leg 19 is thenexpanded or folded outwardly in an angular relation toclosely-interlatch within the associated latching slot portion 16 inengagement wtih the angle-shaped edges 16b and 16c and the apex 16d.

It is thus seen that the two parts and 17 are securely locked togetherin an assembled relation by reason of the angle shape or fold of thelegs 19 and complementary angular shape of the slotted latching portions16. The expanded relation of each leg 19, as indicated at position B inFIGURE 7, represents the assembled relationship between the parts 15 and17 of FIGURES 4 and 6. The folded or angular shape of the legs 19 givethem rigidity and strength in extending below the base part 15 tosupport the tree-like display assembly and particularly, in their lockedrelationship within complementary edges of the slot portions 16 of thebottom part 15.

Cone-shaped cap or upper end part 20 is cut out, as shown in FIGURE 2,as a segment or sector of a circle. As shown in FIGURE 5, it is thenfolded in the shape of a cone to provide a fitting that may, as shown inFIG- URES 6 and 8, be placed over the upwardly-converging top or apexportion of the body part 17. Referring particularly to FIGURES 2 and 5,the cap part 20 has two opposed flaps 21 and 22. The flap 21 has atongue-like latching tab 210 that is adapted to enter and flexiblylatchwithin a slit or slotted portion 22c of the opposed flap 22. FIGURE 5illustrates the assembled relation wherein the tongue or tab 21c extendsinwardly within the cone, an edge of the slotted portion 22c is exposed,edge 21b of the flap 21 is partially exposed up to the point ofengagement of the tab 210 within the slotted portion 220, and edge 22!;of the flap 22 is within the assembled cone shape.

An important phase of the invention, in addition to the provision of asecure and stable assembly as accomplished by parts 15 and 17, rests inthe construction of latching slot tabs 18 which are formed or providedin a spaced relation along and are open to outer, tooth or ridge foldjoint portions 17b of the body part 17. As shown particularly in FIGURES6 and 6A, each slot tab 18 is defined by a slot construction having abottom entry edge a that defines an open entry slot or mouth with a topentry edge e and that extends from the front edge of the associated foldjoint 17b. Each of a pair of concave bottom edges b extends from theedge a, along an associated one of a pair of opposed side or flapportions of the fold joint, and terminates in an inner apex from whichone of a pair of convex top edges c extends forwardly. Each of the topedges c terminates forwardly in one of a pair of pivot shoulders dadjacent and connected to the top entry edge e.

It will thus appear that the slot construction of each slot tab 18provides an open entry mouth through which a greeting card 25 may beintroduced and removed. As shown particularly in FIGURE 6, the card 25of a group thereof is secured in position by three-way supportingcontacts represented by entry edge a, an intermediate point 'b' on theconcave bottom edge b, and shoulder d. This amounts to a five pointcontact, taking into consideration the fact that -b' and d are locatedon a pair of spaced-apart opposed side or flap portions that define anangle from the front connecting edge of fold joint 17b. The shoulder dof each opposed side portion is of rounded shape and restricts theopening adjacent the entry mouth of the slot tab 18.

It thus appears that the support of a card or cards 25 is accomplishedby a three point pivotal support as to one side portion of the pair thatdefine each fold joint 17b, and by a five point contact from thestandpoint of both side portions of the same pair. It will be seen thatthe amount of downward projection of the shoulders 0. will govern theangle at which a card 25 is supported to slope downwardly from thevertical or upright body part 17. The weight of the card 25 serves tocooperate with the portions a, b and d to securely retain it in positionwithin slot tab 18 until it is manually lifted upwardly at its frontend, at which time it can be easily pulled out from the slot tab 18. Ininserting the edge portion of a card 25 it, of course, will be tiltedupwardly and then man ually tilted downwardly. The construction of thetab 18 is such that the downwardly tilted card 25 uses gravity tofurther the holding or latching operation and thus, resists removalthrough the agency of its forwardly-balanced weight.

Although the body part 17 may be made with any suitable number of inneror valley fold joints 17a and outer or ridge fold joints 1712, theillustrated embodiment is shown provided with six, as a suitablerepresentative number. Six angle-shaped feet 19 represent extensions ofthe valley folds 17a and provide a balanced support for the treeassembly. Further, as shown in FIGURE 6, the latching slot tabs 18 alongone ridge fold 17b may have a different vertical positioning than orstaggered relation with those along adjacent or next succeeding ridgefolds. This minimizes any interference between cards as mounted in therespective folds. The upward convergence of the body 17 which may beornamented or colored to represent a coniferous tree, also facilitatesthe mounting or receiving of smaller cards 25 adjacent the upper endthereof and larger size cards adjacent the lower or bottom end thereof.

Although an embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, itwill be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications,additions and subtractions may be made and that the latching slot tabconstruction may be used in various fields for holding cards and thelike in a manually removable but secure, downwardly-suspended relation,all without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention asindicated by the claims.

I claim:

1. An upright display device for removably receiving and supporting acard to project downwardly therefrom which comprises, an upright bodyhaving a pair of outwardly and vertically projecting side portions in aspaced and outwardly connected relation to define a fold joint; at leastone slot tab in said fold joint defined by opposed and similar slots insaid side portions and providing an open card entry mouth immediately atthe fold joint, each side portion having an upwardly-concave bottom edgein alignment with the bottom edge of the other side portion, and adownwardly-convex top edge in alignment with the top edge of the otherside portion and connected to the upper end of the concave edge of itsown side portion; each said convex edge having an opening-restrictingrounded shoulder adjacent said entry mouth and open in a widenedrelation into said mouth; a front fold joint edge of said concave edges,an intermediate edge portion of each of said concave bottom edges, andsaid shoulder defining opposed grip contacts for a card insertededgewise into the slots of said fold joint.

2. A display device for removably receiving and supporting cards toproject downwardly therefrom that utilizes separate parts for assemblyinto an upright construction comprising, a body part for uprightmounting having a plurality of peripherally spaced-apart andlongitudinally extending folds, said folds defining alternate valley andridge fold joints that enable said body part to be folded into a fiatshape for packing and to be expanded into a hollow upwardly-convergingcone shape, a base part or fiat disc-like shape having a group oflatching slot portions in a spaced relation about its periphery, a groupof peripherally spaced-apart legs rojecting from a bottom end of saidbody part and adapted to removably latchengage within said latching slotportions of said base part and extend below said base part to maintainsaid body in an expanded shape and to position said body part in anupright assembled relation with said base part, and longitudinallyspaced-apart slot tabs along said ridge fold joints adapted to receiveand removably-hold cards therein when said body and base parts are in anassembled relation with each other.

3. A display device as defined in claim 2 wherein said legs extend fromand correspond in a number to said valley fold joints.

4. A display device as defined in claim 3 where-in each of said legs hasa pair of portions that are foldable inwardly into a fiat relation witheach other for inserting them within an associated latching slot portionand that are foldable outwardly into an expanded angular relation witheach other to latch-engage within the associated latching slot portion.

5. A display device as defined in claim 2 wherein slot tabs along one ofsaid ridge fold joints has a staggered relation with respect to slottabs along next adjacent ridge fold joints.

6. A display device as defined in claim 2 wherein, a third part in theshape of a sector of a circle is provided and has a pair of flaps forcooperating with each other to fold it into a cone-shape, one of saidflaps has a projecting latching tab and the other of said flaps has aslot therein to receive and latch-engage with said tab to hold saidthird part in a cone-shaped assembled relation, whereby it may be placedon a top end of said body part when said part is assembled with respectto said base part.

7. An upright display device as defined in claim 2 wherein said bodypart has six valley fold joints and six ridge fold joints and isfoldable in the form of three layers into a triangular-like flat shapeand is expandable outwardly into a coniferous tree-like shape.

8. A display device as defined in claim 2 wherein, each of said latchingslot portions of said base part has a pair of op osed entry edges opento and extending with a slight convergence inwardly from the outerperipheral edge of said base part, each of said latching slot portionshas two pairs of opposed angular-shaped edges that meet at an apexwithin said base part and that extend from said pair of entry edges, andan associated leg is adapted to fit within and engage said pairs ofangular-shaped edges beyond said pair of entry edges.

9. A display device as defined in claim 2 wherein each of said slot tabsis defined by a slot construction hav ing opposed top and bottom entryedges extending from a front edge of the associated fold joint, having apair of concave bottom edges extending from said bottom entry edge alonga pair of opposed side portions of the fold joint and terminating in aninner apex, and having an opposed pair of convex top edges extendingalong said pair of opposed side portions from said apex and terminatingin a pair of shoulders adjacent said top entry edge.

10. A display device as defined in claim 9 wherein said slotconstruction of each of said slot tabs defines a three-point pivotsupport for an edge portion of a card inserted therein as represented bysaid shoulders, said bottom entry edge, and an intermediate portion ofsaid convex edges.

11. A display device as defined in claim 8 wherein each of said slottabs is defined by a slot construction having an entry portion extendingfrom a front edge of the associated fold joint, having concave bottomedge portions extending from said entry portion and terminating in anapex, and having convex top edge portions extending from said apex andterminating in shoulder portions adjacent said entry portion.

12. An upright tree-like display device marketing assembly comprising, atriangular-shaped hollow box having a flap-closed-ofi open end baseportion to receive fiat-positioned tree parts therein, atriangularly-shaped body part of coniferous tree-like shape whenexpanded, said body part having a group of longitudinallyextendingperipherally-spaced-apart inner and outer folds enabling it to beexpanded into a cone-shaped upwardlyconverging tree-like shape and to becollapsed into a flat three-ply shape for insertion into said hollowbox, said body part having a series of longitudinally spaced-apart slottabs along each of its said outer folds for receiving edge portions ofgreeting cards therein for suspension therefrom, each of said slot tabshaving means providing at least three spaced-apart point contacts withthe edge portion of an associated card to securely retain the card inposition there-within to project downwardly therefrom, a plurality oflegs projecting downwardly from said inner folds, each of said legshaving a pair of side portions adapted to be folded fiat upon each otherand to be folded outwardly into an angular relation with each other, arelatively fiat bottom base part having a group ofperipherally-spaced-apart angular-shaped latching slots therein toreceive said legs when said side portions are in a substantially fiatrelation and to latch engage therewith when said side portions arefolded outwardly into an angular relation for holding said body part inits expanded shape, and said legs when mounted within said latchingslots extending below said base part to provide supporting legs for theassembly.

13. A display marketing assembly as defined in claim 11 wherein, a topend part of circular sector shape is also adapted to be inserted withinsaid box and has a pair of latching slide flaps for assembling it in acone-shaped hollow assembly to fit on the upper end portion of said bodypart when it is in its expanded shape.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 157,082 1/1950 Patton 124 X2,447,856 8/ 1948 Hazelton 40124 2,916,843 12/1959 Meyer 40-124 X2,951,303 9/1960 Hovlid 40-124 X EUGENE R. CAPOZIO, Primary ExaminerWENCESLAO I. CONTRERAS, Assistant Examiner

